Mechanical motor



(No Model.)

2Sheets-Sheet 1. W. M. LEWIS. MECHANICAL MOTOR. No. 475,580.

Patented May 24, 1892.

ASHINGTON, u. c.

(No Model) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. M. LEWIS. MECHANICAL MOTOR.

No. 475,580. Patented May 24, 1892.

I JIF lllr 1w: mum PETERS ca. mannn'ma, wAsmnuTum u. c.

' UNIT STATES ATEN'I FFICE.

VVILIAM MILO LEWIS, OF NEI/V HARTFORD, IOWA.

MECHANICAL MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 475,580, dated May 24, 1892. Application filed February 29, 1892. Serial No. 423,148. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILIAM MILO LEWIS, acitizen of the United States, residing at New IIartford, in the county of Butler and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Motors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has special reference to that class of mechanical motors in which Weights are employed; and the object sought to be obtained is to utilize the gravitating force of a moving weight which is adapted to operate on power-transmitting devices in its path.

To this end my invention consists of certain novel features and combination of parts more fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a machine embodying the essential features of my improvement, Figure 1 represents a plan view thereof; Fig. 2, a detail in section of one of the sections of the track; Fig. 3, a detail of the lever and pawland-ratchet mechanism, and Fig. 4 a side elevation of the modified driving mechanism.

The reference-letter A represents an elevated circular track which is supported a convenient distance from the ground by means of the standards or supports B. This track is made in section, the number in the present case being eight. This, however, may be varied according to the size of the machine. Each section of track is pivoted at one end to the supports 13, and has attached to its other end one arm of a lever C. This end of the track (the one to which the lever O is attached) overlaps the pivoted end of its neighbor and is held some distance above it by the swinging weight D, which is fixed to the free arm of each lever O. This is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

To each lever O is fixed a ratchet-wheel E, which is mounted on the short shaft F, journaled in bearings G. This ratchet-Wheel forms the fulcrum of the lever O.

Mounted upon the shaft F, beside the ratchets, is a spur-gear wheel H, to which is fixed the spring-actuated pawls I.

These pawls engage the ratchet-teeth on wheels E, as shown in drawings. The spurgears H mesh with the pinions J, which are fixed on shafts K, having bearings in the section G. To the other end of the shafts K are fixed pinions L, which mesh with the crowngear on the platen M. This platen revolves freely on a vertical shaft N,and is supported by the carrying wheels or rollers O.

Mounted in bearings P and Q is a shaft R, which is provided with a pinion S, meshing with the teeth on the platen M. To the other end of. this shaft is fixed a spur-gear T, which revolves between the sides of the compound bearing Q. This gear mesheswith the pinion U, fixed to shaft V. To this shaft V is also fixed a balance-wheel W and power-pulley X.

In using my machine a loaded wagon, car, or any weighted object capable of moving on the track A is placed thereon, and is drawn, preferably, by a team or a light locomotive, although other means may be employed, which will be described hereinafter. As the weight moves over the track, the free ends of its sections are depressed, and the force of the Weights D on the lever O overcome, whereby the levers are tilted on their fulcrums and the ratchet-wheels E partly rotated. The pawls I, being in positive engagement with the teeth of the ratchets E, cause the spurgears H to make a corresponding rotation. This movement rotates the shafts K and pinions L, which in turn gives the platen M a partial rotation. By this time the weight has reached the next joint or section of track A and the foregoing operation is repeated. It will be seen that by these means the platen M is given a continuous rotary motion, which imparts a like motion to shaft R and its gears S and T. As spur gear T revolves, it rotates the shaft V through the medium of pinion S. The balance-wheel W serves its usual functionsviz., to insure a continuous and steady rotary movement of shaft V.

Power is obtained from the machine by means of pulley X.

In some cases it mayprove inconvenient to employ a team or locomotive to draw the weight on the track A. Realizingthisl have provided means for drawing the weight through the medium of a stationary engine.

Such means will now be described.

The reference-letter or represents a bifurcated standard formingbearin gs for the shafts b and c. To the first-mentioned shaft b is fixed a pinion 0, which meshes with a spurgear 91 on the shaft 0. This shaft is further supported by means of the elevated bearings 61, and has fixed to its opposite end a pinion c. This pinion meshes with the teeth f, formed on the upper face of the circular frame 9, which frame moves in a circular path on the grooved carrying-wheels 71, mounted on bearings z'. The frame 9 is strengthened by means of the cross-braces j. To the other side of the frame is fixed an overhanging bracket or leader is, to which the weightis at tached by means of the chain or rope I.

To use my machine in this connection, a stationary engine (not shown in the drawings) should be belted to the pulley m. As the shaft 1) revolves, a circular motion is imparted to the frame g through the medium of gears 0, n, e, and f, before described. As this frame revolves, the weight moves over the track A,

and the operation of the remainder of the machine, before described, is repeated.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a mechanical mo tor, of a sectional track, each section of which is pivoted at one end and the other end hav ing attached thereto a weighted lever, substantially as described.

2. The combination,with a mechanical motor, of asectional track, each section of which is pivoted at one end and its other end located normally above the pivoted end of its neighbor, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with asectional track, of a series of levers, each having one of its arms connected to a section of the track, a ratchet-wheel secured to each lever and forming its fulcrum, gear-wheels beside the ratchets, said gear-wheels having pawls fixed to its sides and adapted to engage the ratchets, and means for collecting the power, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a series of pivoted overlapping sectionshaving weighted levers attached to their free ends, pawl-and-ratchet mechanism operated by said levers, and trains of gearing for collecting the power from the ratchets, substan tially as described.

5. The combination of a sectional track, a series of levers adapted to actuate pawl-andratchet mechanism, spur-gears rotated by the same, and pinions meshing with the spurgears, whereby the shafts K are rotated and a continuous motion imparted to the platen M, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signatu re in presence of two witnesses.

VVILIAM MILO LEWIS.

Witnesses:

JEssE C. KNIFE, OSCAR BoLToN. 

